January 2007 Parish Council Minutes

Held at the Village Hall 07:30pm Tuesday 16th January 2007

Present: Mr S Huk, Chairman - Mr B Harrington, Vice-Chairman - Mr T spurge - Mr N Daniels - Mrs J Mason - Ms K Schooling - Ms M Osborne

Apologies: Mr R Small - Mrs J Hylton

There were 3 parishioners present who were invited to speak if they so wished.

Cllr Lines was present and available for questions.

There being none, Chairman opened meeting with prayer at 07:30pm.

Declaration of Interest: Mr N Daniels declared an interest with number 6 - Siren

Minutes of the meeting held on 19th December 2006 having been circulated were proposed as correct by Mr N Daniels, seconded Mr T Spurge, carried unanimously.

Police Report: Ray Aylot was present who is our PCSO. He reported that Great Oakley is not a high crime area with 1 minor assault being the only incident reported. It was suggested that the mobile police van could remain in the village for the children to see after school. This could make the police more approachable to the children and to make them aware that there is a police presence. This was seen as a good idea except the police van has to be elsewhere after Great Oakley.

Cllr Lines had met with Inspector Dearsley who made a commitment to come to 3 meetings a year plus the AGM. We do understand the police cannot always attend and they will pass statistics to Cllr Lines in their absence.

It has been reported that the Essex Police website is well designed, easy to use and has contact details. This may be great for children to look at.

Ray Aylot would like to attend as many meetings as he can but PCSO's are only given bikes not cars and Great Oakley is too far to cycle to. When he can get dropped off he will attend as many meetings as he can and will also visit the schools. Harwich currently have 4 PCSO's to enable them to visit rural areas. Ray was asked if he will visit the Secondary School at Thorpe. This is out of his catchment area and when Thorpe police station reopens this could be their responsibility as the school is in the Tendring catchment area.

Clerks Progress Report:

Basketball Hoop:
The basketball hoop still hasn't been installed due to the wet weather.

Disabled Toilet:
Ms Osborne was due to contact Mrs Chilver regarding a start date for the disabled toilet. With no news, Clerk contacted the contractor to arrange a start date. Two weeks notice is needed to close the post office and other clubs. A suggested start time is March but Clerk to confirm with contractor. The contractor had contacted Ms Osborne but not the Clerk so Clerk is to contact again for an update.

War Memorial:
The stone mason has agreed to carry out the restoration works for the same price as quoted. Chairman to meet with stonemasons to agree works.

New Auditor:
Clerk to arrange meetings with the previously nominated people.

Grants:
The meeting to discuss the grants is due in January. There has been no news to date but the signs are promising.

Bus Escorts:
A letter was sent to Tendring Technology College to find out the role of the bus escorts and to outline the reported problems. There has been no reply to date.

Website:
Clerk has contacted Mr Small regarding the information needed. Mr Small needs all the e-mail addresses of councillors.

Meeting with Exchem:
Exchem had offered to meet with anyone concerned about the siren. Clerk put up notices to invite anyone interested/concerned to contact Clerk. There was no response so Mr French did not attend this meeting. He will be attending Little Oakley's meeting tomorrow night if anyone is interested.

Precept:
Clerk has submitted our request.

Wooden Road Signs:
Clerk to obtain details for local craftsmen who may be able to restore the damaged wooden signs in the parish. Mr Harrington has rough details of the people but Clerk needs names and addresses.

Cycle signs:
Clerk is to contact Highways to ask for some of the cycle signs to be removed as there are too many. There has been no reply to date.

Back Lane:
The verge in Back Lane needs clearing by hand as promised by Mr Wignell from TDC. As this work had not been carried out, Clerk is to contact Mr Wignell to remind him of the commitment he made and to provide him with witness names. Clerk received a reply saying the area had been cleared but the drains were the responsibility of Highways. Clerk is to action this.
On the subject of Highways, Clerk was asked to report pot holes in the road at the Soils and council would like an update of the horse rider signs.

Accidents in Queen Street:
There had been 2 accidents in Queen Street and Back Lane and Clerk contacted Highways to ask for the priority lines to be reinstated. They have committed to reinstate them by the end of March.

Essex County Council routing plan:
Essex County Council had previously routed lorries on a road with a 71/2 Tonne weight restriction within the parish. They were made aware and promised to revise their plan. Clerk asked for a confirmation in writing which we have now received.

E-On statements:
E-On were not sending their statements regularly, charging us for one month then for two months. The reason for this was because E-On were changing their computer system last year so the problem has now been resolved.

Siren: As mentioned at the last meeting, Exchem have held an exercise to review their emergency procedures in the event of an accident. As a result of this exercise, it was apparent that the current warning siren, located at their works, was inaudible in the village. Consequently, they have approached the Parish Council with a request for permission to locate a new siren within the village, mounted on the Village Hall. The type of siren proposed can be tested silently as required so would present no disturbance to local people. If installed, it would be prudent to sound the warning siren, by prior agreement, once or twice a year so people know what it sounds like.

This matter was discussed at the last Village Hall Committee meeting and the committee have no objection, although before we commit, we will need to check whether there are any implications with our insurers. Chairman suggests we agree to request, subject to agreement that all costs are bourn by Exchem and also negotiate some form of donation towards the hall running costs. Council would like to find out if we need planning permission as it is a conservation area. Clerk to check with planning officer and our insurers. Proposed Mr T Spurge, seconded Ms K Schooling, carried unanimously.

Planning: We have received 3 planning applications which will be discussed. Chairman invites anyone wishing to comment on these applications to make it known and the meeting will be suspended if necessary.


Application No: 06/02064/FUL
Proposal: New House
Location: Oak House, Farm Road, Great Oakley

After everyone viewed and discussed the plans there was no objection, but we need to check with Mrs J Hylton that she is aware of the development.

Application No: 06/02065/CON
Proposal: Residential garage to be demolished to create building plot
Location: Brevelay, Farm Road, Great Oakley

After discussion there was no objection.

Application No: 06/02074/FUL
Proposal: Erection of new double garage with workshop above
Location: Three Ways, Colchester Road, Great Oakley

After discussion there was no objection.

Footpaths / Trees: A tree had blown down near the school but was cleared.

As Mrs Hylton is absent there is nothing to report.

Feedback of sub committees:
Village Hall:
There was a village hall committee meeting on 9th January. The relocation of the security post to obstruct the entrance has not yet been carried out so the Chairman is to contact Mr Wilby.

The treasurer reported that the village hall account held £2185.37 as of the beginning of January. The Chairman has reviewed the accounts and provided the Treasurer with new account sheets in an attempt to make life easier for him.

The pending work on the disabled toilet was discussed and Maureen is to liaise with the Clerk to agree a date for the closure of the hall to complete the alterations. If possible, we would like to install a hot air dryer in the other toilet at the same time as the work is carried out. This is to be discussed with the contractor.

An estimate has been received for new heaters at a cost of £1940.00 plus VAT. A grant has been applied for to contribute towards this cost and until the outcome of that request is known no action can be taken. The possibility of having a bulk gas tank installed to reduce gas costs was also discussed and will be investigated. Last year we paid £824.30 for gas and so far this year we have spend £435.00

The next meeting will be at 07:30pm on 10th April 2007.

Crime Prevention Panel:
As we are having a basketball hoop installed the Crime Prevention Panel are having one installed at Parkeston.

The Crime Prevention Panel reported that the school is not having a garden. Clerk informs Council that they are having a school garden but they cannot enter any competitions until they have it up and running. They are awaiting donations so they can purchase all the equipment needed to get started and had no intention of running before they can walk. A Councillor mentioned that the headmaster does not really get the support of the governors. After discussing it was decided that the Chairman would arrange to meet with Mr Nicholls.

Neighbourhood Action Team:
There is nothing to report which would affect this community. There will be a meeting in April.

Fun Day:
After discussing it was decided we need a cause for the money to be donated to. A suggestion was to provide safety matting under the climbing frame at the recreation field. This would last a long time and reduce annual costs of bark replacement. The general feeling was to use the money for something which would reduce costs in the long run. Any ideas would be welcomed by the committee.

Accounts for Payment:

E-On	Street Lighting	D/D	£80.91
Just Lamps (UK)	Street Light Maintenance	D/D	£37.94
Miss J Bootyman	Clerks Wages & Expenses	-	£198.43
Powergen	Village Hall Lighting	D/D	£43.00
TOTAL			£360.28

Accounts proposed as correct by Mr T Spurge, seconded Ms K Schooling, carried unanimously.

It has been reported that a street light is not working at the corner of The soils/Sparrows Corner. Clerk to report to Just Lamps.

There has been a suggestion made to look around for better rates for electric and gas cylinders for the village hall. Clerk to look at youswitch.com for a better deal.

The board in the back of the notice board outside the village hall is damp and won't hold drawing pins much longer. Clerks's partner has offered to put a new one in if we purchase the board. Ms Osborne informs Council she has a lot of wood and to liaise with the Clerk.

Correspondence: Clerk received a letter to get funding for new football goal posts. This was handed to Mrs Chilver who can pass the information to the local football team.

Clerk received an e-mail from John Hyde, a senior reporter for the Harwich and Manningtree Standard. He is running in a sponsored half-marathon to raise money for two local good causes. He has a sponsor form and covering letter which can be sent. After discussing, we cannot sponsor him from council funds so Clerk will circulate sponsor form to councillors should they wish to support him.

Essex County Council - Essex Minerals and Waste Development Framework: The Essex Waste Development Document

Essex County Council - Essex Matters

Essex County Council - Essex School Organisation Plan 2006-2011

EALC - Minutes of Executive Meeting held on 16th November 2006
East of England Plan - Secretary of State's proposed changes
Local Strategic Partnership Shaping their future ODPM consultation paper
Making the Links

Tendring District Council - Forward Plan 63

TDALC - The Clerk
Meeting dates and contact details

Miscellaneous - Go-East - Proposed changes to the East of England plan
Tendring Hundred Water - Corporate responsibility report 2005/6
Essex Oyster
Time - St Helena' Hospice
Essex Community Foundation Review 2006

Glasdon products for Local Authorities

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 08:40pm.

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